The IWV institute performs basic and application-oriented research and development in the field of efficient and environmentally acceptable energy conversion. Closely interlinked materials- and systems-related research is indispensable in order to develop new energy conversion systems such as the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and low-temperature fuel cells (PEFC, DMFC) into competitive and marketable products and demonstrate their technical implementation. New materials also play a key role in increasing the efficiency of economical energy conversion systems such as combined cycle power plants from approx. 60 % today by 15 % to 75 % in approx. 15 years and that of modern coal power plants from approx. 45 % today to 60 % within the same period. Relevant work is oriented, on the one hand, to materials development and, on the other hand, to process and system engineering and is interlinked through joint projects. The Institute's activities are combined in the R&D projects "Fuel Cell" and "Material Systems for Power Plants".

Materials research has a key function for numerous new technologies and development lines. Thus, the development of new materials and systems in combination with new combustion and cooling technologies is also indispensable for the future implementation of advanced energy conversion technologies.

IWV-1 and IWV-2 are dealing with associated problems of materials and component development for solid oxide fuel cells, components exposed to high thermal loads and advanced power plants. R&D work also comprises developments for plasma-facing components of future fusion reactors.

The low-cost and at the same time environment-friendly supply of energy is at the centre of interest in numerous sectors of industry. The corresponding use of both fossil and renewable energy carriers requires the development and optimimization of energy conversion processes and systems. IWV3 is concerned with relevant R&D tasks for the areas of high-temperature and low-temperature fuel cells as well as regenerative energy systems